What Is Cleft Lip and Palate Repair?
Cleft lip and palate repair is a specialized surgical procedure used to correct congenital openings in the upper lip and roof of the mouth. These conditions, known as cleft lip and cleft palate, occur when facial structures don't fully develop or fuse during early pregnancy, leaving a visible split or gap that can affect speech, eating, hearing, and appearance. At Mobile Oral and Facial Surgery, board-certified oral surgeons Dr. Christopher Mullenix and Dr. Aaron Wallender perform cleft repair procedures to restore proper oral function and support healthy development. Repairing a cleft not only improves a person’s ability to eat, speak, and breathe comfortably but also enhances facial symmetry and confidence, making it an important step for both health and emotional well-being. Contact our office in Mobile, AL to learn more or find out if you're a candidate for this procedure.
How Is Cleft Lip and Palate Repair Performed?
Cleft lip and palate repair is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Cleft lip repair is usually performed around 3 – 6 months of age, although it can also be done later in life. During the procedure, one of our surgeons will carefully make incisions along the edges of the cleft, then reposition and suture the skin, muscle, and mucosa to create a more natural-looking lip. This surgery typically takes 1 – 2 hours.
Cleft palate repair is usually done between 9 and 18 months of age and involves lifting the tissue on both sides of the cleft, then reconstructing the muscles and mucosal lining to close the opening between the mouth and nasal cavity. This not only restores the structure of the palate but also helps improve speech development and feeding ability. Cleft palate surgery generally takes 2 – 3 hours. Both procedures aim to improve essential functions like eating, speaking, and breathing, while also enhancing overall facial symmetry and confidence.
What Are the Benefits of Cleft Lip and Palate Repair?
Cleft lip and palate repair offers a range of functional and aesthetic benefits that can greatly improve quality of life, including:
- Restores normal eating and drinking abilities
- Improves speech development and clarity
- Enhances facial appearance and symmetry
- Reduces risk of ear infections and hearing loss
- Supports proper dental and jaw development
- Boosts self-esteem and confidence
- Facilitates normal breathing
- Minimizes social and emotional challenges
- Enables better overall health and growth
- Decreases the need for long-term medical interventions
Mobile Oral and Facial Surgery Reviews
Went for a consultation and Dr. Mullenix and his staff were all friendly, helpful and welcoming. UPDATE Had surgery with Dr. Mullenix. His bedside manner is A1 . He’s a genuinely sweet guy. He took the time to talk to me before surgery, and checked on me after I woke up. He came out and gave my husband care instructions after surgery. He even called me that evening to check on me. I had minimal pain and bleeding after having two wisdom teeth removed. Great experience.
Great Staff and Great Doctor !!
Great atmosphere and team, We love Dr Mullenix!
The absolute best! Friendly staff, very clean and comfortable environment and my favorite part is when the doc calls you at the end of the day to check on you. Super thoughtful!
As usual, my treatment was fast and efficient from check in to x rays to consult and scheduling- was given my out of pocket cost up front- Just love this entire office staff- and Dr Mullenix is awesome!
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Repair with Confidence
At Mobile Oral and Facial Surgery, Dr. Christopher Mullenix and Dr. Aaron Wallender offer advanced cleft lip and palate surgery to restore function, comfort, and confidence. Whether you or a loved one is seeking treatment for a cleft lip or cleft palate, our experienced oral surgeons provide personalized care using the latest techniques to support long-term results. Don't let a cleft condition affect your health or quality of life — schedule a consultation with our compassionate team in Mobile, AL and take the first step toward lasting improvement.